The first phase of the project to map all of Iran's archaeological sites has been completed by a team of experts. The map was unveiled during a ceremony at the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) in Tehran on Monday.

Members of an archaeological team work at the Gohar-Tappeh prehistoric mound in Mazandaran Province in an undated photo.

A total of 45,000 archaeological sites appear on the map, team director Abbas Moqaddam said at the ceremony.

He said that the map was drafted based on available information.

"However, the team did not have access to specific data, which are kept at some storehouses by certain experts," he added.

"The team began their work in 2009, but in fact, Ezzatollah Negaban (the father of modern Iranian archaeology) should be considered as the founder of this project, which began in 1958," he stated.

Moqaddam said that if the necessary funds are provided, the second phase of mapping Iranian archaeological sites would be completed in 10 years.

"The map will be completed in the third phase," he stated and added, "It will take future generations centuries to complete the third phase."